Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-06-09
RUBY MINING. /"
The Industry as Followed in the
Burmese Country.
Great British Syndicate and Monopoly
Royal Rubles Carried Out of the
Country-Unhealthfuln of
the Mining District.

The successful advance of British
force to the Ruby lands of Upper Bur-
nah, and its establishment in that
difficult country, imparts additional
interest to the acquisition of Burmese
territory by the Indian authorities.
The actual position of the Ruby terri
tory is now placed beyond doubt;
but, inasmuch as good deal of mis-
understanding exists on other points
connected with the land of gems, its
extent and probable value, it may be
well to place on record few ascer-
tanned facts in regard to them.
The designation Ruby Mines is al
together inappropriate, seeing that no
mining is required, or at any rate has
ever been attempted. The gems are
found in avery rough state, at dis
tances from the surface of the land
varying from three feet to dozen;
and these tracts of free, gravelly soil,
intermixed with quartzy clay, stretch
in long, slightly undulating plains,
skirted by ranges of lofty hills. AS is
the case in the gem-pits of Ceylon,
rubies are found in the same localities
as sapphires, tourmalines, &C., but
with this difference, that in Durham
the ruby is the most generally found.
In Ceylon, the amethyst and sapphire
are more frequently obtained. 1t is
stated by some writer's that these rubies
are found in abundance over distance
of eighty miles or more. No authori-
ty exists for this statement; but it is
certain that gemming has been carried
on in that part of Upper Burmah for
centuries, and there must be consider
able tracts of country which have been
dug over and apparently exhausted of
their natural wealth; but it is propable
that by deeper and more scientifically
conducted explorations of the soil,
with proper pumping apparatus, more
valuable rubies than those already
found might be obtained.
The Indian Government has leased
the privilege of digging for rubies in
Durlnah 10 European syndicate for
an annual payment of five laos of ru-
PEGS equal at par to fifty thousand
pounds; and it has been asserted that
the estimated value of the yearly out
put of rubies is not above twenty thou
sand pounds.
1t is most improbable that any relia-
bic information is in existence on this
point, seeing that the utmost secrecy
has invariably been observed by gem
diggers and gem-merchants in Burmah,
as well as in Ceylon, as to the results
of working the pits. Moreover, as all
rubies found above certain size are
declared to be the property of the Sover-
eign, there is an additional inducement
to maintain silence as to any great prizes
being found. Large as the alleged
rental to be paid to the Government
may appear, it should be borne in mind
how much the value of ruby increases
when above certain size, more SC
even than in the case of diamonds.
About ten years ago two oriental rubies
were brought to England from Burmaf
much above the size prescribed by roy
atty in that country, weighing, the one
thirty-seven, the other forty-seven car
ats. Having been recut, they were re-
duced in size, but improved in appear
ance; and so much was their value in
creased, that one of them was ulti'
mately sold for ten thousand pounds,
the other for twice that amount With
the possibility, therefore, of finding
such gems as these, the rental of the
Ruby mines does not appear excessive
The reader need scarcely be told thai
in its natural state, when removed
from pit and freed from the gravel,
soil in which it was imbedded, a rub,
of the finest quality would not strike I
casual observer very differently from
an ordinary pebble. the. eye of an eN
pert being required to distinguish
valuable gem from an ordinary stone
To the present time. the mode of search
ing for rubies has been most primitive
no machinery being employed, nothin!
but the rudest implements. A sort o
hoe and pick. to loosen the ground an,
lift the soil; a vessel in which to was
the stones from the earthly matter; ant
finally, table or board. on which tn
stones are placed for the separation
gems from common pebbles. or iron
rubies that would not repay the cost
rough native cutting to fit them 70
market. As genlming Is carried on i
the island of Cevlon. where any natv